***Dear loyal readers: Don't freak out! Change is a good thing. We are currently editing and revising the story. We have learned lots of new things about the time period and the Shinsengumi and are making changes to make this as historically accurate as we can. Please read each chapter as it is reposted and let us know what you think of our changes!***

Authors' Notes

Suki: First and foremost, this chapter is dedicated to Rhiniel! She was our first reviewer in a long time and her review really touched us.

As: T-T That it did! o_o||| … =_= Did that sound Himura-ish to anyone else, or am I just paranoid?

Suki: …It did. So onward to music! I suggest "Rasatsu No En" from "Sword of the Stranger." In fact, I recommend the movie and it's soundtrack in general.

As: Yeah. That's my new favorite thing in the world. And I recommend "Sora's Song" from "Escaflowne." Either version - movie or anime - works, but the anime version is better

Suki: That's it, right?

As: I don't know! I feel like there should be more! I guess I'm just really excited about where this is headed and the fact that you mentioned SotS and it's playing in my mind, now! XD

Suki: lol. Okay, then. Enjoy the chapter! We've worked and toiled away for you! :3

Chapter IV

Ren'aiyuugi

By the time Saito and Todou returned to the Yagi estate, the sky was dark and stars were glittering far above them. It was a moonless night, however, and the streets were dark. Momentarily forgetting that he had moved across the street, Saito walked through the Yagi gate with Todou before halting. "Oh! Goodnight, Todou-kun," he said, remembering and turning back to the gate. Todou smiled and waved. "See you tomorrow!" he called as he entered the grand house and disappeared from view.

Crossing the narrow road to the Maekawa gate, Saito paused and trained his gaze on the road's distant end. He thought he had seen movement, but it was so dark that he could not be sure. Stepping into the entryway, he waited in suspicious silence. He had seen movement, and it was steadily drawing closer. Who was it? Was it another traitor – or an Ishin assassin? Saito gripped the hilt of his sword. He was trained in stealth as well and could match an assassin's skills easily.

Though not quite whom he had expected, the furtively approaching figure was an assassin. He had to wonder, though, why the killer had been out all night – and whether she had actually used her strange blade. Was murder perhaps the motive for which she had chosen to wear her deep indigo kimono that day? It would hide stains better than the lavender silk she sometimes wore.

Walking briskly but silently, with no fear of solitude in the night, Hijikata Naomi emerged from the darkness and hurried to the Yagi gate. Saito relaxed. "Oh, it's just you," he said, stepping out of the shadows. He crossed his arms and glared at her. Naomi froze, but it seemed that she was finally growing accustomed to his sudden appearances. "Yes, just me. Good night," she muttered, moving again and stepping inside the gate.

"Which unfortunate soul did you send to the underworld tonight?" Saito asked coolly. Naomi glanced over her shoulder with a tired smirk. "Do you really want to know?" she mocked. "I'd hate to disturb your sleep with the gruesome details. It might give you nightmares." Saito chuckled. "Oh, after tonight, I doubt you could give me nightmares." Naomi's eyes lit with interest. Saito's tone suggested that he, himself, had accomplished something great that evening. "Oh?" She turned to face him, intrigued. "And why's that? Did you finally learn how to properly use a katana?"

"Oh, yes, let's just stomp out the last of my pride," Saito replied, not actually hurt by her insult. Naomi laughed curtly. "I thought I did that when we met in the woods!" Saito's right eye twitched. She really did have a talent for getting under his skin. "You're the only person who would suggest-" "That you have no pride?" Naomi asked, completing his sentence in an innocent tone that made his blood boil. "My pride isn't something I have to worry about defending here," he retorted. "Since you've chosen to live with a bunch of men, I'm sure it won't be long before you're referred to as the whore of the Shinsengumi."

Saito had hoped to enrage Naomi with his words, and perhaps he had...but she reacted in a completely unexpected and very strange way. "Hm? Are you concerned about my reputation?" she purred, stepping close to him and brushing his hair out of his face with an inviting smile.

Saito's jaw dropped. He was so shocked that he couldn't move. With a single phrase, she had chased the warm memory of Aioi away and left him with a shock that, despite himself, left him shivering with anticipation. "E-excuse me?" Even in the darkness, he could see that she was smiling and knew that she could clearly see the blush that was creeping onto his face. He couldn't understand why, all of a sudden, she was touching him gently and whispering to him like Aioi had mere hours before. Had he missed something? Did she really not care about her reputation?

Without warning, Naomi's face tensed and she lifted her hand, balling it into a fist. Gritting her teeth with a snarl, she swung her fist forward. "Don't worryabout it!" Her fist connected and sent him crashing into the Maekawa wall. "And don't you ever call me a whore again." She glared at him, her eyes smoldering with hatred, and straightened her hair out of habit. Saito cupped his hand over his mouth and let his jaw relax, willing the pain to disappear. He stared at her, bewildered. She was confusing the hell out of him. When she moved to walk away, he caught her by the wrist and spoke in a thick voice. "Do all women play with men's emotions like this?"

Naomi fought to free her hand, but the struggle was in vain. She was surprised by how strong he was when sober. "Playing? I'm not! Let me go!" Saito was now beyond confused. Releasing her wrist, he folded his arms and turned away slightly. "Fine. Whatever. Let your reputation be sullied. I don't care." Naomi gave no further answer, disappearing into the Yagi house and leaving Saito alone in the street.

Saito glared after her until she slipped silently into the house and closed the door behind her. With a heavy sigh, Saito leaned against the wall and looked up at the stars. He wondered suddenly how his family was doing. Before he left, his sister had many suitors. Was she married yet? What about his older brother Hiroaki and the girl he had always fancied? Saito glared down at his left hand. He had not had a single prospect, thanks to his father. No wonder he was so inexperienced with girls, though he was fairly certain that Naomi was a unique case that would baffle and astound any man.

/\/\/\/\

Days passed without incident and the weather grew steadily colder. Each morning was encased in a thin shell of ice, and practice with Harada was accompanied by smoking breath and aching lungs. Okita Souji, who had somehow managed to avoid night patrol for two weeks in a row, occasionally joined them. All three of them were making rapid progress, and the other Captains seemed to sense that they were missing out on something but had no idea what it was.

Along with the colder weather came an unexpected rush of new recruits. Suspicious of all the new Shinsengumi members but acknowledging the need for reinforcements, Commander Kondo Isami put the would-be volunteers to a rigorous test before allowing them to sign on as official members of the Shogun's Corps. Often, the testing involved a duel against either a lieutenant or a captain. Saito was suddenly very grateful that Nagakura had noticed his need and mentioned it to Harada, who had in turn taken it upon himself to resolve the issue. If they hadn't helped him, he'd be the laughing stock of the Shinsengumi – and all of Kyoto.

As it was, he had developed his skills at such an astonishing rate that he had joined Okita and Nagakura as one of the three most feared swordsmen of the Shinsengumi and was beginning to strike a supportable dread in the hearts of both his men and comrades. Before, only the coldness in his eyes had made them nervous in his presence. Now he had the skill to justify the intimidation.

Nevertheless, there were still those among the ranks who not only didn't care but found his rise in power strangely amusing. Takeda Kanryuusai, the captain of the Fifth Squad and Saito's previous superior, seemed to have singled out his past lieutenant for abuse, well aware of the rule against settling personal affairs with fights as it was one of the few things that kept him alive. Had he been a lawless Ishin, he would undoubtedly have met his end long ago.

"Good morning, Hajime-kun," he called in a whimsical voice that made Saito's skin crawl. He ignored the salutation of his least-favorite comrade and continued walking towards the dojo as though he hadn't heard. "How have you been?" Dismayed to find Takeda's squad waiting within the dojo, Saito realized to his horror that Nagakura's shift for the day must have been changed. He hadn't heard the news, but it was apparent now that he would be spending two hellish hours training the men with Takeda.

"I'm surprised," Saito remarked dryly. "I can't recall the last time I saw you in the dojo." Takeda smirked as he stepped past Saito. "You've missed me? I suppose you've been counting the days. It's fortunate for you that you finally found a woman to fill the loneliness. She's not a low-class whore like the typical dregs of Shimabara, either." There was laughter in Takeda's voice. Saito's blood boiled. He didn't know how Takeda had found out about Aioi, whom Saito had taken to visiting often though quietly, but he despised the man all the more when he dared to speak of her. "If she's willing to lower her standards – and her kimono – for an inexperienced child like you, perhaps I might venture…"

Saito threw a poisonous glare at Takeda. "She's not like that," he said in a low voice. There was nothing like a woman to start a battle, or even war, between men. "Jealous?" Takeda crooned. "That's the problem with a girl who sells herself, Hajime-kun; you have to share." Saito narrowed his eyes. Of course he knew that. She worked at Shimabara, after all. She surely had other patrons; he couldn't hope to monopolize her.

Takeda studied Saito's face from the corners of his eyes, a triumphant smirk creasing his face. "Well, it's not something we should discuss here. I'd hate for someone to overhear and inform her brother." Wait – what? What brother? "Whom are you talking about?" Saito asked, confused. Leering, Takeda lowered his voice as an added precaution, though none of the men could possibly hear them. "Just how many women are you visiting lately? Poor Naomi-chan will be heart-broken!"

Saito's heart skipped a beat. Takeda thought that he and Naomi…? He must have seen them that night! "You're wrong," Saito snarled. "Nothing has ever happened between us." Takeda chuckled quietly. "Of course not! And I'm sure the vice commander will understand your explanation when, I mean, if he finds out." Saito glowered suspiciously. "What do you want?" he muttered. Unbelievable! He was getting blackmailed! By Takeda, of all people!

A surprisingly good actor, Takeda turned and looked at Saito with feigned surprise. "What do I…? What do you mean?" Smirking again, he lowered his voice so it was barely audible. "You have nothing I could possibly want, boy…but I'll consider your offer, nonetheless. In the meantime, I might recommend you show a bit more respect to your elders." The threat was clear, but any trace of coldness melted from the Fifth Squad captain's face when he turned to face their men, his face aglow with a sickening smile.

/\/\/\/\

After class, Saito retreated to the shrine. He was angrily practicing with his sword, sweating despite the chill in the air. The golden sun was in the center of the sky when he finally stopped and sheathed his sword. He pulled his kimono up and sat on a log. What was he supposed to do? His father would be very disappointed if he knew about the rumors and implied threats. He should have known better than to allow himself to get tangled in a web of secrets. He glared at the shrine, remembering that Naomi prayed there and could show up at any moment. Frowning, he stood to leave. He didn't want to give Takeda any more fuel.

Saito headed down the mossy steps, determining that he should visit Aioi. She was becoming someone of whom Saito was very fond. They had a lot in common. For starters, they were both from Edo – something he had successfully hidden from the Shinsengumi. He could talk to her more openly than with others, but he still guarded most of his secrets from her. Maybe someday he would confide in her completely…eventually. Not yet. He took a bath before heading for Shimabara, thankful he had the night off.

When the young captain arrived at the Kikyo-ya, Aioi was waiting for him. She had his schedule memorized. Saito had to smile, a warm feeling coming over him when he entered the teahouse. "Good evening, Saito-han. I'm so glad you came!" Her gentle voice was such a contrast to the clashing metal and gruff voices he listened to all day that he would pay just to hear to her speak. Her company was a gift that, not for the first time, he pondered stealing away. "I received a letter from my sister in Edo this morning and she inquired after you." Studying his tabi, Aioi hesitated before taking a deep breath and lifting her gaze to Saito's expectant face. "We should speak privately," she murmured.

Saito certainly had no objections to a little privacy, but something in Aioi's tone suggested she wanted to discuss something serious. Nodding, he gestured for her to lead the way. Bowing deeply, she stood and led him to the farthest room, which was smaller than most of the others but distant enough that they were not likely to be overheard. As she slid the door closed behind them, Aioi sighed. "Saito-han, are you acquainted with a Toshiaki Katsu, wife of Toshiaki Soma?"

Saito's brow furrowed as he reflected on the familiar name. Toshiaki was the surname of one of his sister's suitors – one of the few he liked. "I am…I think." He knelt on the floor and watched as she moved gracefully towards him. Everything about Aioi was art: her poise, her voice, her touch… She pulled a small, folded letter from her kimono sleeve – further proof that she had been expecting him – and bowed her head as she held it out like a gift. Saito's heart jumped. He recognized the handwriting. 'Onee-chan!'

He took the letter and unfolded it slowly. As he read, a smile softened his angular face. He really missed his family now. The letter was brief, but it told him all he wanted to know. He folded the letter and tucked it into his sleeve. "Thank you, Aioi-dono." She smiled and bowed her head. "Was it good news?" she asked. "It was. My sister is married and is due to have a baby. She's probably had it by now, actually. I wonder if it was a girl or a boy?" Saito smiled at her. "How did you ever get this?" Aioi's lips curved in the barest hint of a mischievous smile – something Saito had never imagined she could wear. "My sister owns her own teahouse in Edo. Her friends and guests share all of the local news with her. When I mentioned…your eyes…"

Aioi hesitated, glancing up at Saito apologetically. "I did not think anyone would recognize a description, but she is a very honest woman and has promised her heart to me in secrecy. At least among sisters, we never lie." With a nod, Saito cleared his throat and answered, "If you trust her, then so do I. I've been thinking about my family a lot lately, so it's nice to know they are well." Saito looked over to the lantern. "But you should realize that it's very important that no one else find this information. I did not leave Edo under ideal circumstances and things could get dangerous if this fell into the wrong hands."

Saito turned back to Aioi. He was not scolding her, but warning her for her own safety. He had no idea how far they would go to track him down and drag him back to Edo. "Do you understand?" he asked. She bowed deeply, humbled by his concern and his trust. "I understand. I will ask her not to write of you again, unless you should request it." Saito thought for a moment. "Actually, can you send a letter for me?" The best way to know what was going on was to ask his brother; Hiroaki was always informed.

Nodding, Aioi gestured to a small lacquered chest. "Would you like to write it now?" she asked. Saito nodded. After a moment the ink was mixed and Saito started his letter. He let his brother know he was all right and told him to congratulate Katsu and her husband. He asked how their mother and father were. Then he asked about the state of the investigation concerning his disappearance. Were they were actively searching for him or had they given up? Saito tuck two ryo into the letter as a gift to his sister and signed the letter "Hajime."

He enjoyed his time with Aioi, even though nothing physically intimate happened. When he left her, he decided to head back to the estate to get some dinner before returning to the shrine to burn his sister's letter. As he neared the gate he saw the Maekawa and Yagi children running excitedly to the Yagi house. He watched as they interrupted the conversation Hijikata and the head of the Yagi household were sharing. They were talking in high-pitched, rapid voices. When Naomi appeared at the door, laughing, the children ran to her and began to plead with her. Saito shook his head and turned to the Maekawa estate. Something about the sweetness with which Naomi treated the children made his stomach turn. 'She can act so innocent around the children and her brother, but she's a demon behind that pretty mask – just like her brother.'

"Saito-kun!" He cringed when he heard Hijikata call his name, fearing that somehow his thoughts had been perceived. Turning reluctantly to face the vice commander, he saw him beckon and forced his feet to carry him through the Yagi gate. "Yes, sir?" he asked, his voice level. "There's a Matsuri festival tonight. You're free, aren't you?" Saito glanced at the children and caught a glimpse of Naomi's dismay. She was playing Jan-Ken-Pon with the oldest Maekawa child and had just lost because her hand clenched into a tight Gu fist.

Saito grudgingly replied, "I am, sir." He looked at the kids again before daring a split-second, narrow-eyed glare at Naomi. Yagi Gennojo glanced at Saito and nodded. "I'm fine with it if he goes," he consented. The children, hearing their father's voice, ran over cheering but paused in awe as they looked up at the tall warrior who was being volunteered as their guardian. "Go with them. Yagi-dono and my sister are going as well. We can't let a couple of women and a bunch of children go alone."

Naomi hurried over to them, smiling sweetly but clearly tense. "Ni-san, this really isn't necessary! I'm sure Saito-san already has plans for his day off! We should ask someone else!" She didn't get a chance to argue further. The kids were excitedly pulling Saito to the gate, apparently immune to his icy glare. A small girl tightly held two of his fingers while the older Yagi son, Tamesaburo, pulled him by the other hand, jumping up and down.

"Wait for your mother!" Yagi called, laughing heartily. Answering promptly, Yagi Masa stepped out of the house with a bright yellow kimono and a sunny smile. "I'm here," she said, catching the stunned Naomi's arm and walking with her to the gate. "Oh, this will be so fun for the children!" she chirped. Naomi tried to smile, but she only managed a weak grimace.

For a farming community like Mibu, the Matsuri harvest festival was a grand celebration. Colored paper dangled from strings from which paper lanterns also hung. Children flew kites while running past stalls full of sweets and laughing adults. The Yagi and Maekawa children strained to pull Saito toward the festivities as quickly as possibly. Yagi Masa watched with a jubilant smile. "He's so good with children," she whispered. Naomi pressed her lips together in a tight line, making no response. 'He doesn't have a choice but to humor them. That hardly qualifies as being good with them – just putting up with them!'

The little girl was having trouble keeping up with the bigger kids, so Saito picked her up and set her on his shoulders. She clapped excitedly and pointed to all the things she could see from her new vantage point. The three boys kept pulling Saito until they reached a booth with a low wooden tub full of water and fish. The children tried to catch baby koi to put in the ponds back home, but their attempts were clumsy. After several frustrating minutes, Saito squatted with a smirk and offered to help them.

For a time, Naomi was distracted from the children and their captive samurai by Masa's interest in a stall full of ink paintings. They admired the works together, commenting on the skill and beauty of the pieces. When Naomi finally glanced over her shoulder to check on the children, she was stunned to see Saito holding a small pail full of koi for the children, laughing with them. Turning to follow Naomi's gaze, Masa exclaimed quietly over Saito's gentle manners. Naomi couldn't believe what she was seeing. Shaking her head as though to call herself back to reality, she quirked an ironic smirk and shrugged to herself. 'I guess I'm biased against him. Of course there's more to him than a sword and a scowl...and an aggravating tendency to be insulting.'

Before that moment, every encounter between them had ended in verbal brawls or vicious blows. Now that she had the chance to see him in a new environment, Naomi had to humbly admit to herself that it was usually her fault that they argued. In the woods, at the shrine, on the road… Something about him brought out the worst in her. She couldn't help but be confrontational. Certainly part of her violent behavior was defensive; he was the only one who knew of her marohoshi jutte or the fact that she had used it to kill. Only he knew that she had gone to the shrine to pray. Only he dared to raise his voice when speaking to her.

Naomi's chocolate eyes narrowed in contempt. 'It's not just my fault. He's the most offensive creature I've ever met! I never should have let him hear my name. I should have killed him at our first meeting. Now, I've' Remembering his insults and her behavior during their last encounter, her cheeks burned with shame and she turned to look at the paintings again. 'I can't kill him, now. He's useful to Ni-san. I hate that he knows so much, but he hasn't said a word to anyone. No one even suspects, thanks to his silence. I suppose he probably thinks of me the same way. I'm useful – to an extent.' Smirking now, she glanced back at the young swordsman and pondered the irony. 'If I fail to be of further use, will he continue to treat me as I would treat him – and kill me?'

The thought was grim, yet for some reason it made her feel light. Death – the gift she frequently gave, always with the secret hope that someone would perhaps return the favor… She laughed out loud, the sound clear like a bell. For the first time in a very long time – perhaps years – Naomi had found a reason to smile. Saito heard the laugh but was occupied by the children, who were showing him the various prizes as though he hadn't already seen what they had won. The little girl shyly put a hairpin into Saito's hair. She whispered in his ear. All the boys grinned and blushed. Even Saito turned a slight shade of pink.

The two older boys ran to Masa and Naomi. They were in a less crowded area, between the painting stall and a booth full of baskets of nuts and dried fruit. The younger Yagi boy, Yuunosuke, and the little girl grabbed hold of Saito's hakama, dragging him towards the others while he struggled to keep the fish from falling out of the pail. When the group was reunited, the children grinned expectantly at Saito. He made no move, so Tamesaburo elbowed him. Saito glared down at him. The little girl started tugging on Naomi's kimono. "Onee-chan!"

Naomi looked from the little girl to the boys and finally to Saito. In a rush, her walls flew back up and a coldness filled her eyes. Her smile remained, now forced by sheer will, but it was clear at least to Saito that something had changed. For a moment, he had sensed life in Hijikata's dark-eyed sister; now all that remained was a warning. "You should remember that Saito-san is only here to make sure we don't get into any trouble. Don't make him play any games he doesn't want to play," she chided gently. The children's faces fell.

"But Onee-chan!" The little girl tugged again and all the boys looked up at Saito. "This is important!" they declared, looking back to Naomi. Masa intervened. "What's so important, children?" Saito felt his eye twitch. Thank the gods Naomi had not noticed the hairpin yet. The little girl turned away angrily and pouted up at Masa. "Onee-chan is being unfair!" The boys joined in her complaining. Saito squeezed his eyes shut and silently prayed that the children would tire and seek a new diversion.

The children were adamant, however, and soon began fussing loudly. Realizing that they were drawing the attention of others nearby, Naomi took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Shhh! Okay! Okay," she whispered. The children spun to face her, their eyes hopeful. They looked so desperate that Naomi felt her resolve slip away. Why was she being so stubborn? This was the children's day out. If they wanted her to play a silly game with them, she would – even if Saito was playing, too. "Well?" she asked. "What's got you all so excited? I see you got a lot of fish!"

The girl beamed excitedly. "Saito-san has something to give you!" The boys shot smirks and grins at Saito. The narrow-faced samurai looked like he wanted to die. With visible effort, Naomi lifted her gaze back to Saito's face. Through clenched teeth, she asked again, "What is it?" The children were obviously holding in their excitement for something. Saito rolled his eyes. He balanced the bucket of fish and reached up and to pull the feminine ornament out of his hair. "They want you to have this, but insist that I be the one to give it to you." The children held their breath, waiting for Naomi's reaction. Something twinkled in Yagi Masa's eyes.

Naomi's eyebrows arched up in surprise; she hesitated to take the small kanzashi. "Oh! But shouldn't we let Hanakimi-chan have it since she helped catch the fish?" She looked down at the little Maekawa girl, but the children all shook their heads fiercely. Biting back an impatient sigh, Naomi bowed with feigned gratitude before taking the gift from the equally unenthusiastic Saito. "Thank you," she murmured, tucking the hairpin into her small purse. "No! No! Don't hide it!" "Put it on, Onee-chan!" Struggling to hide her exasperation, she retrieved the kanzashi and made sure all of the children could see as she slid it into place. 'I'm never going out with the children and Saito-san together again,' she silently swore.

The children burst out in excited cries. "Now Onee-chan can marry Ni-san!" "What?" Saito and Naomi cried out in alarm, unified for the first time – but only in that a unity was outrageous. The children looked at Saito with looks that reprimanded his reluctance. "Ka-chan said that when she got a kanzashi from Chichi-ue, it meant that they were going to get married and have me," the Maekawa boy explained in a condescending tone, as though Saito should know. "Yeah, so now that you've given Onee-chan one, you can get married!" Hanakimi exclaimed, clapping her little hands and bouncing up and down.

Saito wanted to wring the plotting children like hand towels, but instead simply gripped the hilt of his katana, keeping it hidden beneath the sleeve of his haori so they wouldn't worry. Squatting down to speak to them, he took a deep breath and explained as calmly and simply as he could. "That would only work if we loved each other," he said. "We don't love each other. It's…a sort of…a mutual "like," as in we are sort of friends." Saito was struggling with the words, but understanding slowly dawned despite his clumsy explanation. The children nodded slowly. "Besides, what if Hijikata-dono likes someone else? Or what if I like someone else?"

"I didn't think about that," the Maekawa boy mumbled. Hanakimi looked at Naomi and pouted, stomping her feet. "But she was smiling! Onee-chan was smiling!" Naomi took a deep, steadying breath before replying. "I was smiling because you caught so many fish," she lied. Hanakimi's lower lip quivered, but she nodded and bowed her head apologetically. Saito sighed, relieved that they were listening. As their dutiful guard rose again to his feet, Yuunosuke looked excited. "I wanna fly a kite!" The others agreed and Saito was dragged away again, actually rather relieved to be separated from the women again.

Yagi Masa twittered with laughter as she watched the children lead the samurai away again. "They must have noticed you watching him earlier! How sweet! It's just so cute that they…" Turning back to look at Naomi, the older woman's smile vanished, replaced immediately by a look of concern. "Naomi-chan! Are you all right?" Eyes closed tightly, Naomi had both hands pressed over her mouth. She nodded sharply but several moments passed before she spoke in a hushed voice that was muffled by her kimono's sleeves. "I don't feel so well. I'm sorry, Yagi-dono, but I think I'm going to go back early," she apologized.

"Naomi-chan! If you're ill, you shouldn't go back on your own!" Naomi opened her eyes and lowered her hands just enough to smile disarmingly at her companion. "Don't worry! It's not far, and I'm not feeling weak or anything. Just a little tired. I'll be fine." Masa studied the young woman's face worriedly. "If you're sure…" "I am," Naomi responded. She walked the mother to her children but turned away before any of them could see how pale she was. She did not want them to worry – and certainly didn't want the ever-observant Saito Hajime to notice.

/\/\/\/\

Three more hours passed before the children tired. Saito had to carry Hanakimi with one arm while supporting the sleeping Yuunosuke on his back with the other arm. The older boys yawned and rubbed their eyes, trudging along the road slowly. Masa was now carrying the fish, and even she seemed exhausted. Saito was relieved when they finally came to the gates of the Yagi estate. The group quietly shuffled into the house. Masa whispered for Saito to follow her into the children's room so he could leave them there to sleep, suggesting that he also help her set out futons for the Maekawa children. She had told Saito that Naomi left early because she was sick, but when they entered the room that Naomi shared with the children, he didn't see her anywhere.

Soon all of the children were tucked in and sleeping. Saito sighed and stood to go. Masa thanked him for his help, but her tone betrayed the fact that she, too, had noticed Naomi's absence and was worried. Saito nodded and quietly left. He sighed as he checked his sleeve. Yes, the letter was still there. He reminded himself, somewhat sadly, that he needed to get rid of it. Until he knew his situation better, he had to assume that he was still in danger. He tucked his hands into his sleeves and headed for the shrine.

Something seemed different when he arrived at the hilltop shrine. The silent walls were dark, partially obscured in a frosty mist, and the empty doorway gaped like a black maw. Shrugging off the sense of foreboding that crept over him, he knelt behind a gnarled tree and shredded the letter, trapping the squares of paper beneath twigs. Striking a stone against a small knife he had brought along, he sent a small shower of sparks onto the tiny pile of kindling and watched as his sister's handwriting darkened on the curling paper and disappeared into a thin stream of smoke that mixed with the fog and disappeared completely.

With a sigh, Saito glanced back at the shrine. He froze, his eyes fixed on the doorway as he suddenly realized why something seemed strange about the ancient building's appearance. Never before, in the many visits he had made, had the door been opened. He was cautious as he approached. Had someone found him? Were they already lying in wait? Silently drawing his sword, he stepped closer and took a deep breath before leaping into the shrine.

The interior was dark and bare. It must have been looted years earlier, hardly more than a skeletal tribute to the faith of its lost visitors. Saito scanned the chamber with relief. 'The wind must have forced it open,' he reasoned, turning to exit. Shock halted his movements as he sighted a figure huddled on the ground, half-hidden in shadows. He could barely make out the familiar lavender silk in the dim moonlight.

Saito sighed. She was sleeping. With a grumble, he sheathed his sword and knelt in front of her. "Hijikata-dono?" he said, hoping to stir her. When it didn't work he reached out and touched her shoulder, shaking her. "You'll catch your death of cold out here." Naomi's eyes fluttered. In an airy, confused whisper she asked, "Ni…san?" Slowly, she lifted her head and squinted up at him. At first she looked even more confused, blinking and lifting a hand to her lips. Then, unexpected recognition registering in her eyes, she gasped. Unprepared, she choked on the cold air and hit his hand away while she coughed until her lungs warmed.

"What are you doing here?" she rasped, silently cursing her luck. Saito frowned at her. "I was wondering the same thing. You told Yagi-dono you were returning home hours ago." He backed away and stood. How could she sleep in this cold air? Failing to mask a grimace, Naomi slowly pulled herself to her feet and sighed, dusting her kimono. Then, mustering a hollow smile, she straightened and directed the look at him. "You don't care, remember?"

Not waiting for a response, she turned and walked through the door. She was trembling, but not from cold. It was a great effort to balance over her buckling knees. She felt drained and unsteady, but willed herself to keep walking. 'The worst is over. I'll feel better in the morning.' Saito rolled his eyes, perfectly aware that Naomi was struggling – and equally certain that she would stubbornly resist any help he might offer. With a sigh, he closed the door and followed after her.

Naomi glanced over her shoulder and scowled. Why had Saito come to the shrine? Surely he hadn't come looking for her. Why, after a long day at the festival, would he hike all the way to the shrine when he had already admitted he didn't bother with prayers? Resigning herself to the fact that she would never ask and therefore never know, she looked ahead and hesitated at the stairs. 'One at a time,' she told herself. With a wince, she slowly descended. 'Another secret; will he figure this one out, too? It's so unfair!' she thought bitterly.

Saito followed five steps behind, watching for any sign that she might stumble. He was wary of her condition, though it confused him, and just as wary of their surroundings. His senses were heightened by the nervousness she had sparked in him; the slightest noise made his muscles tense in concentration as he listened intently for the sound of metal.

When they finally reached the foot of the stairs, Naomi breathed a quiet sigh of relief and straightened, instilled with more confidence despite the ache that lingered in her bones. She felt, quite unexpectedly, that she should say something to dispel the tension she could taste in the air. Moments passed in silence and the weight of the edgy atmosphere grew. Casting a glance sideways at Saito's moonlit shadow, she cleared her throat and murmured, "Did you enjoy the festival?" "I suppose I did, for the most part," Saito answered, pulling his hands into his sleeves. He was cold and wanted his blankets, or even Aioi. Sake or hot tea sounded good too; anything to fight the chill off for a while longer.

Naomi didn't ask which part of the celebration had bothered him; she already knew. Her face darkened and she reached up to gingerly remove the hairpin he had given her. Slowing her step, she held the kanzashi out to him. "Here. You should give this to someone else." Without hesitation, Saito took it from her. "The children will be disappointed if you don't wear it, but I'm sure you're good at making up excuses. Like it's the wrong season or something," he retorted coldly. Naomi smirked, her eyes empty. "I'm afraid you're right. There will never be a season for such a gift." Saito tucked the hairpin into his sleeve. "Not for a woman such as yourself."

A soft laugh spurred a dry cough and Naomi covered her mouth with her sleeve. 'Ah, how true!' she mused. She said nothing more, even when they arrived at the narrow way between the Yagi and Maekawa estates. Without a word of farewell, she disappeared into the Yagi house, her limbs trembling with the hunger for sleep even before she finished unfolding her futon. As she slipped under the covers, she clasped her hands over her chest and bowed her head, as though praying. 'The seasons are always too short, and time passes so quickly! There's no time for gift-giving anymore. I have work to do.'

Saito sighed and walked into the Maekawa residence. He was glad to see the men behaving. They still gave him problems, but his threats were as empty as before. He went directly to his room and closed the door quietly. Sitting at his desk, he pulled the kanzashi out to look at it. It was lovely, even for a trinket from a festival. He sighed and leaned on an arm, staring at the ornamental hairpin a moment longer before opening a drawer and tucking it in the back. After a pause, he got up and readied for bed. He lay down in his futon, making sure his tanto was under and his katana in close range. In the next instant, he was fast asleep.

/\/\/\/\

The following dawn spilled like molten gold over brittle silver. The frost dissipated as soon as the sun touched it, heralding an unseasonably warm morning before winter set in completely. Saito was already up, waiting for Harada in the dojo. He was trying to remember whether he had night patrol, but his mind was distracted. Sleep seemed only to have further muddled his thoughts instead of clearing his head. A good spar should help him forget the children's prank and Naomi's coldness.

However, Harada left him waiting longer than usual. By the time the disgruntled, sleep-deprived spearman arrived at the dojo, there were only a few minutes remaining before the rest of the men would rise for breakfast. Saito studied the tired face of his tutor uneasily, sensing that something was amiss. "Good morning?" Harada grunted and slid the shoji shut, leaning heavily against it. "Yeah. Sorry. I didn't get much sleep last night," he muttered. Saito opened his mouth to respond, but his answer was cut short by rapidly approaching footsteps. Harada moved away from the door just in time for Okita Souji to throw it open. "She's back!" he called, an ecstatic smile plastered over his pale face.

Saito looked between the two captains in confusion. "Who is?" he queried. Their relieved smiles froze for a moment and they glanced at their comrade. Reaching back to nervously tug at his hair, Okita stepped into the dojo and shrugged. "Ah, it's nothing. Naomi-chan was a bit late getting home last night, that's all. She was in her room just now, so we must have just missed her when we went to look for her." A heavy rock seemed to settle in Saito's gut. "Oh?" Thinking fast, he carefully constructed a concerned expression and fixed it on his face. Harada smirked. "Worried? Don't be. She used to run off all the time when we were younger. I guess we're just not used to it, anymore, and now that she's a woman… You know."

"People say foolish things," Okita finished, closing the dojo door behind him and folding his arms, a cold scowl clouding his face. A shiver ran down both Saito and Harada's spines. "Like what?" Saito queried, very curious to know what could bring out the demon in the generally chipper captain. Okita huffed and glanced at Harada. Shrugging, Harada cleared his throat before replying. "Someone's been spreading rumors that someone has been…soliciting Naomi-chan. She hasn't said any-"

"I just confronted her about it," Okita corrected sharply. "She was very upset! She hasn't done a thing." He gave the other two captains a fiery glare. "I believe her. Naomi-chan never lies." Saito bit his tongue to hold back the words that suddenly wanted to spill out of his mouth. Hijikata Naomi – honest? Ha! But worse than her lies were the implications of the rumor. Saito took a deep breath before asking, "Who started these rumors?"

Okita and Harada shrugged, obviously frustrated that they had not yet found the source. "If I were the commander, I'd have whoever it was commit seppuku!" Saito's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Okita was beyond furious; he was vehement! Saito was beginning to understand why the young samurai's students feared him. "And…who is…said to have solicited…?" Again, the other two captains shrugged. "You know how rumors go. There aren't any specific details. I overheard some of my men talking about it last night. When I asked, they didn't know who had started the rumors or who was supposed to be Naomi-chan's…whatever."

Nodding slowly, Saito stared at the shinai in his hand without really seeing it. 'I'm sure Takeda is the one who started the rumor. I'm surprised he didn't name me, but to do something like this…' Remembering how weak Naomi had been the night before, Saito felt his own anger rising against Takeda. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply to keep his face calm. 'She may very well be the most evil creature in existence, but that does not give him the right to challenge her dignity! I'll kill that bastard!'

Harada yawned loudly and covered his face with one hand. "I'm beat!" Okita smirked slightly. "You took Todou's patrol last night. Why don't you go back to bed?" Saito glanced at Harada in surprise. 'He was so worried that he took an extra patrol? It's a shame he didn't just check the shrine, but I guess no one else knows she goes there to pray.' "Not until after breakfast! Why don't you come, too, Saito-kun? I'm sure the Maekawa house will remain standing even if you don't eat breakfast with the men." Saito smirked. Finally, Harada was grinning again.

As they walked to the house for breakfast, Saito looked at Okita inquisitively. "So, you all were pretty close growing up?" Okita laughed. "Naomi-chan was like our little sister! She followed Hijikata-san to the dojo every day until their father told her to stay home. Then, whenever we came to visit, she'd beg us to teach her kenjutsu, but her father was against it. He was worried she'd get hurt." Saito frowned. 'If her father forbade it, how did she learn to fight so well? Where on earth could she have learned juttejutsu?'

Breakfast was delicious. Saito was astounded by how much Naomi's cooking had improved. Now he was certain that she had intentionally made his meals bland before. The captains and lieutenants ate together in the common room while Kondo, Hijikata, and Yamanami received breakfast in their offices. There was very little conversation in the common room; the men were too busy eating to speak. When Naomi came in to serve rice, she hesitated for the briefest moment upon seeing Saito seated with the others. Saito, who until that time had avoided looking at Takeda, caught a thin smirk curling on the contemptuous captain's face. Baring his teeth slightly, he shot Takeda a deadly glare and excused himself.

Later in the day, while Saito was on patrol with his five senior squad members and three new recruits, the mischievous Taoka Taro approached him and cleared his throat softly. "Captain Saito!" "Hm?" "I hear you've made a good friend at Shimabara," he teased. Saito scowled, but did not answer. Taoka glanced over his shoulder to be sure the others couldn't hear before lowering his voice and adding, "And I hear she isn't your only friend."

Saito nearly missed a step. He cast a withering scowl at his lieutenant. "Where did you hear this?" Taoka raised his hands and continued with a grin, "No need to get defensive! I was just curious…but judging by your face, it's not true. What a shame!" "Who told you this?" Saito repeated, his voice hissing between clenched teeth. Taoka scratched his chin, his expression thoughtful. "To be honest, nobody told me. I overheard someone in another squad saying it, but I don't know his name. He's fairly new."

Face darkening, Saito took a deep breath and tried again. "Which squad?" "Your old one: the Fifth." Rage poured through his veins. It was a thick, heavy feeling. He wanted to march back to headquarters and butcher Takeda like the pig he was. "And what…exactly…did he say?" Taoka laughed. "Someone else apparently told him that your nurse's treatment involved more than hot water and bandages." Saito was fuming. Taoka seemed to think it was hilarious. He gave Saito a mocking, disappointed look. "So…you didn't sleep with her? What's wrong with you?"

Something snapped. "You mean other than the fact that she's the ice-cold sister of a demon? Gee, I don't know! Maybe you're right! Who wouldn't want to get involved with a girl who's got "touch me and die" written all over her? Can you think of a single sane person who wouldn't want to get on Hijikata Toshizou's bad side? Besides, she's a bitch! She's the cruelest woman I've ever had the displeasure of knowing! If it wasn't for her, I never would have-"

He stopped, abruptly, realizing that he had almost divulged a terrible secret. The last thing he wanted to do was admit that Hijikata Naomi had bested him in hand-to-hand combat and then dragged him back to headquarters while he was disarmed and defenseless. Taoka did not seem to notice the sudden silence, as he immediately began filling it with other rumors about other Shinsengumi members. Saito rolled his eyes and groaned quietly. It was going to be another long patrol.

/\/\/\/\

Saito was not in the best of moods. He was still fuming and had been all day. Ignoring Taoka's childish questions was a laborious task, and returning to the Maekawa residence only to hear his and Naomi's names whispered by the men was beyond frustrating. Now he was in his room, pacing and growling. He knew, now, that Takeda Kanryuusai had started the rumors, but he didn't know why. Had he decided that, as he had suggested earlier, Saito had nothing of value to him? Was he so depraved that, with no better alternative, he would throw his vice commander's sister and his comrade out to the wolves?

He ground his heels into the tatami and threw a punch at the wall, snapping the wooden panel beneath his knuckles and turning away in search of something stronger – something that wouldn't yield to his strength and break so quickly. Nothing. With an exasperated sigh, Saito squared his shoulders and left the haven of his room, convincing himself that he was ready to face the men again. When he arrived in the common room, however, he stormed past the few loiterers there without a word, unwilling to linger in their presence and catch a single word of their conversation.

Marching across the narrow street to the Yagi estate, he made his way towards the dojo with a dark scowl. "You seem upset, Hajime-kun," a sickeningly sweet voice called. Saito spun so fast that he skidded slightly, scattering pebbles and dust. "You!" he snarled, giving Captain Takeda the most blood-thirsty glare he could muster. "This is your fault!" Takeda gave Saito a pitying look. "What's wrong?" he asked in a simpering tone. A slight smile was beginning to curl on his lips. Saito felt his skin prickling. His left hand strayed to the hilt of his katana, but he made no move to draw it. "Didn't Naomi-chan offer you sufficient entertainment last night? You were out rather late…"

He had seen them again? Saito gripped his katana's hilt tightly and grit his teeth. "You son of a-" "Saito Hajime…" Saito froze, as though a bucket of ice-cold water had just been dumped over his head. He heard the soft, familiar sound of metal sliding over wood and went rigid. "Okita-san?" He turned slowly, eyes wide. Okita Souji had heard Takeda's comment and now had his katana pointed at Saito's chest.

There was a glint in the captain's eyes – a vaguely familiar darkness that Saito had witnessed for the first time that morning. "It was you?" Okita demanded, his voice uncharacteristically low and cold. Saito spun to face him and took a step back. "No!" Takeda moved away from them, nearly laughing as he interjected. "Oh? So it wasn't you I saw walking her home last night?" Saito's eyes narrowed and he cast a quick glare at Takeda, but rapidly shifted his attention back to Okita, well aware that he was in grave danger. "It was, but I didn't-"

With a roar, Okita charged. Saito choked and spun around again, this time breaking for the gate and skidding as he turned and ran down the road, heading towards the woods. He heard shouting from the Yagi estate and Okita's running feet pounding just a few steps behind him. If he was going to live long enough to explain himself, he needed to run faster and get to higher ground. He pushed himself, increasing his speed and searching for an escape as the buildings flew past him. Spotting an old, crumbling wall, he jumped up and ran along the wall until it was close enough to the buildings for him to grab a roof ledge and flip himself onto the tiles above. Still running, he looked back to see if Okita had followed.

There was more distance between Saito and his pursuer, but he was shocked to see a tall, broad-shouldered man running a few steps behind the smaller captain. 'Harada?' Turning his attention back to his feet, Saito leapt from roof to roof and prayed that when he reached the end he would be far enough ahead to lose them in the woods. Seeing that Saito was slipping out of reach, Okita cursed. It was hopeless. With impressive speed, Saito Hajime was disappearing from view.

"He's going to the shrine!" Okita glanced over his shoulder, surprised. "Sanosuke-kun!" Harada, like Okita, wore a mask of impenetrable rage. "Just follow the road!" Harada barked. Nodding sharply, Okita looked forward – and cursed again. Saito had vanished from sight. "Where is he?" Okita snarled, his sword and eyes glinting in the sunlight. He slowed his pace, allowing Harada to catch up to him. "He couldn't have reached the trees already," Harada muttered.

Saito had made a turn and headed east along the rooftops. Looking back, now, he couldn't see the other captains. Breathing heavily, he slowed to consider his options. The best chance he had was to head back to the Yagi estate and explain to Hijikata what really happened. Even if it meant risking a bit of his own pride and all of Naomi's secrets, it was worth his survival. As he skidded onto a low roof to make his descent, a strap on his left zori snapped and he slipped, losing his balance and falling into the alley. Unable to control the direction of his momentum, he stumbled into the wall of the neighboring house and hit the wood with a loud crack!

His landing was horrible; he would have been reprimanded if his father had witnessed his clumsiness. Holding his breath to listen, he ignored the throbbing pain in his left ankle and tried to detect sounds of pursuit. Had he given away his location with the crash? Through the thin walls of the houses, he could hear a deep voice speak and a softer but angrier voice respond. Suddenly, footsteps began approaching from both ends of the house. Eyes widening, Saito realized they had heard and were now splitting up to catch him between them. 'Shit!'

Not waiting to see them, he tore off his zori and clambored onto the roof of the house with which he had collided. He began running again, not stopping until the line of houses was at an end. Okita and Harada had anticipated his direction and were already close enough to see him again. With a grimace, Saito dropped to the ground and broke into a full sprint, reaching the wooded path at last and cursing his luck. 'How can I explain if they won't listen?'

Blinded by their fury, Harada and Okita were swiftly gaining on their quarry. As they neared the small koyasu-jizo statue, Saito skidded to a halt and turned to face them, holding his hands up and shouting desperately, "I swear, I didn't touch her!" Okita glowered, breathing heavily and slowing to a halt but not lowering his sword. Harada drew to a halt as well, but Saito realized to his chagrin that the huge captain was weilding a spear. 'I'm dead!' "Why should we believe you?" Harada demanded, his voice harsh. Saito clenched his hands into fists but kept them over his shoulders as a sign of faith. He looked to Okita, pleading. "Me? What the hell do I matter? Why don't you believe Hijikata-dono? You asked her this morning, remember?" Okita's eyes narrowed and he shifted into an attack stance. "Did you threaten her?" he asked. Saito recoiled. "I would never-"

A soft cough sounded from the branches of a tree just above Saito's head. The three captains looked up, all startled by the sudden appearance of a man clad all in black. Even his face was covered, except for his eyes, and he was nearly invisible where he crouched in the dark branches. "I can vouch for him," the man murmured. His voice was perfectly calm, though he sounded somewhat amused by the whole situation. Saito was dumbfounded. He didn't recognize the man, but when he looked back at Okita and Harada, they were nodding and lowering their weapons. In confusion, Saito looked back up to question the stranger, but the dark figure had vanished from sight. "What? What the hell?"

"Saito-kun." Unnerved, Saito looked to Harada anxiously but was relieved to see a shadow of the familiar grin on his face. "What is it?" Leaning easily on his spear, Harada gave Saito an appraising look and shook his head. "You shouldn't have run." Saito scowled. He was not going to let them pin the blame on him. "If I hadn't, then you would have engaged in a personal fight!" Harada frowned again. Okita laughed, still sounding tense but obviously in better spirits. "Well, I guess you weren't running from a fight since we didn't fight, right?"

Both Harada and Saito stared openly at the cheery captain, baffled by the nonsensical simplicity with which he was attempting to justify Saito's flight. "Though I will say…you're pretty good at it." He gave Saito a narrow-eyed smirk and Saito looked away. "Whatever," he mumbled. Okita shrugged animatedly and shook his haori sleeves out to tuck his hands away in their warmth. Taking a deep breath, he turned back towards Mibu and gestured for the others to follow him. "We should head back before…" His voice died away as he started walking, leaving Saito to silently finish the sentence. '…Before Takeda has a chance to do more damage.'

Following a few steps behind the others, Saito reflected on the rumors and how rapidly the issue had escalated. He needed to find Naomi and inform her about everything. Then he was sure Hijikata would want to speak to him as well…and he wanted to confront Takeda. Too bad Saito couldn't find a way to kill him and avoid suspicion. With all of the rumors and lies and secrets, Saito was already under enough scrutiny and suspicion. Maybe Naomi would do the honors. No one would suspect her, even though she would have a clear motive.

Saito looked up from the broken zori in his hands and realized with a start that they were already back. He could see the entrance to the Yagi estate. He was surprised to see that no one was loitering around the gate to find out why Okita and Harada had chased him. He sighed, relieved, but the momentary calm vanished as soon as they stepped through the gate.

The three wayward captains were alarmed to see Hijikata Toshizou and Yamanami Keisuke marching swiftly towards them. They fought down the instinct to run. Then, when they saw Takeda Kanryuusai standing in the doorway of the Yagi home with his arms folded and a sneer on his face, they struggled to suppress the urge to charge and tear him to pieces. "Explain yourselves!" Hijikata snarled as he came to a sharp halt before them. Even Yamanami wore a scowl, which was rare and unsettling. Saito looked to Harada who looked to Okita who beamed brightly.

"Well, all three of us were off duty, so we figured we'd go to Shimabara, but then we remembered-" "You've never been to Shimabara, Souji-kun," Yamanami interjected softly. Okita's face burned while the other two captains choked and looked away. "That's why we were going!" Okita exclaimed. "Saito-kun suggested it!" Hijikata and Yamanami turned their suspicious glares on Saito, who stared back at them with his mouth slightly agape. "Uh…" Hijikata's eyes narrowed and he leaned forward slightly, almost as though he was surveying a particularly tough cut of meat and gauging how well he could cut it with his sword. "Saito…kun?"

Saito could not think of a single thing to say. Okita glanced quickly at Harada, who gave a barely visible shrug, and then cleared his throat. "So, why were you looking for us?" he asked. Hijikata continued to glare at Saito; Yamanami answered for him. "We were informed that you might be fighting." This time it was Harada who spoke, his deep voice booming with laughter. "We're always fighting! Why miss out on a great opportunity to be men – especially when Okita-kun just admitted he's still a vir-"

Okita rammed the hard wooden sheath of his wakizashi into Harada's gut, causing the taller man to double over in breathless agony. While Harada gasped for breath, the others broke into laughter, dispelling the tension. Even Hijikata managed a slight smirk, but it faded quickly as he turned on his heel and stormed away. Yamanami sighed. "Well, I'd better return to my duties as well." He looked back at Saito with a knowing smile and turned to follow Hijikata at a more leisurely pace.

Saito heaved a sigh of relief before letting his gaze drift to Takeda's leering face. He had to focus all his concentration on restraining himself. His hands curled into sharp fists, trembling slightly. He could feel rage boil from the bottom of his toes upwards. It would be so easy to charge forward and stab Takeda in that black heart of his, but… He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He couldn't act on his desires. He needed to walk away or he would end up committing seppuku for sure. He needed something, but what that something was, he had no idea.

Remembering his original reason for going to the Yagi house, he took deliberate steps to the dojo. He was going to practice until he couldn't hold his sword anymore. Then he would seek out Naomi to speak with her about the situation. Then, perhaps he'd indulge in a nice, warm sake. What a great way to end a disastrous day.

Kenjutsu training went smoothly, though Saito occasionally recognized his name mixed in the muttering of various troops as they walked past the dojo. He heard the familiar, gruff voice of Inoue Genzaboro yelling at his own men to silence their gossiping and the aggravated cursing of Todou Heisuke, who was apparently sick of hearing about love affairs that weren't his own. When he had finished practicing, Saito stormed out of the dojo and all the way to his room in the Maekawa house without a word to anyone. He considered visiting Aioi, but decided he was in too foul a mood. What he needed was not her gentle touch but violence. An intense thirst for bloodshed had left him feeling dehydrated and he now had a splitting headache. He wanted to see Takeda's head on a post by the river.

Heaving a frustrated sigh when he heard the laughter of the men who were turning in for the night, Saito slipped out the window and, reflecting on the effectiveness of Naomi's odd habits, climbed to the roof and attempted to relax in solitude. A cold fog was rolling over the village, bringing with it the smell of winter and making the ceramic tiles of the roof slick. Saito sat and took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the dim lights beyond the compound. It was so dark…wouldn't it be beautiful wrapped in flames? If everything just burned away, he could rest without a care. 'Damn the whole city – the Imperialists and the Shogunate and that bastard Perry!' Saito punched the roof, breaking a tile and slicing his knuckles. He growled again and looked up just in time to catch sight of something moving on the roof across the way…or someone.

After the Todou's men left for night patrol, when the thin sliver of glowing moon was peering weakly through thick clouds, the shadowed figure Saito had seen nearly an hour before shifted and dropped from the Yagi rooftop. A moment later, he heard soft footsteps in the street below. With a growl, Saito slid off the roof and sauntered to the Maekawa gate, stepping out just as the embroidered sleeve of an indigo kimono swept out of view. "That must be hard to run in," he called, his voice cold.

Naomi didn't even turn to look. "I don't have to run; they wait for me." Saito stepped into the street, folding his arms. "Shouldn't you be in bed right now, little girl?" Naomi paused to cast a venemous glare over her shoulder. "With a littleboy like you? Sorry, but I'm going to have to disappoint you!" Saito's lips pulled back in a silent snarl. Aioi appealed to him because she was gentle and wise. Naomi annoyed him for reasons completely opposite: she was harsh and clever and strong-willed and she didn't give a damn about what he said or wanted.

Marching forward, he grabbed the collar of her kimono and pulled her towards him. "Who would want a pathetic girl like you? Those lies Takeda is spreading around are laughable. I'd have to be mad to fall for a liar, a murderer, and – if it was true – a whore!" Naomi grit her teeth to hold back a defiant hiss. "Bastard!" Saito released her collar, smirking mirthlessly. "What? Are you upset that I'm not deceived like everyone else? Did you think you could charm any man? That is not the world! It's not sugar-coated, as you seem to believe!"

Naomi's entire body was trembling with suppressed fury and resentment. She flexed her fingers like claws but made no move to strike, clearly determined to restrain herself. "I'm not a naive child! Did I ever say this world was sweet? Would any girl who thought so be living here, with men like you around? I'm not an idiot! I know what I'm doing, and if you would just stop getting in my way, none of this would be happening!"

Saito glared at her with eyes of a completely sober wolf. A shiver ran down her spine and her breath rattled in her chest. She was so angry that she was having difficulty breathing. She had to escape. "I'm leaving," she whispered hoarsely, turning away from him. Saito caught her left shoulder and forced her back around, glaring condescendingly down at her. "You are a pathetic-" "Keep your hands off me!" Naomi interrupted, her voice tight. When Saito gripped her shoulder tighter, refusing to cooperate, she reached into her obi's padded knot and drew her bladed jutte, cutting through the air and barely missing Saito as he jumped back to avoid the short weapon.

"Are you cra-" Naomi brandished the blade again, silencing him. "Leave me the hell alone!" she growled. "How many times do I have to tell you? Stop talking to me! Stop stopping me! You don't care about me, so stop interfering with what I'm doing!" Saito glowered at her. "What are you doing?" he asked, his voice as cold as ice. Naomi inhaled deeply, preparing for another verbal attack, but her breath froze in her throat and she took a step backwards, her jutte dipping sharply.

Despite his fury, Saito was concerned. Recalling how weak she had been the night before, he was beginning to suspect that she was in fact ill. "Hijikata-dono-" He held his right hand out to her but she rejected his offer of support with her jutte's blade, sweeping it up in a sharp arc and cutting a line of red across his palm. They both stiffened, then, Saito clenching his hand to stem the flow of blood and Naomi's face blanching as she realized that she had actually cut him. When their eyes met, she staggered away. "Don't touch me!" she rasped, clearly aware that he had every right to kill her for what she had done. Not waiting for him to decide what to do, she spun away and darted into the darkness.

Enraged and confused, Saito stood his ground as Naomi vanished quickly from sight. When her soft footsteps were too distant to be heard, he hissed under his breath and abandoned the empty street to retire, once more, to his room. Naomi could not be any clearer about her wishes. This time, at least, he would comply and let her go. He had mentioned that the rumors were Takeda's fault. As far as he was concerned, that was enough. He owed her no apologies and, as she so forcefully reminded him, he didn't give a damn about her – not even enough to end her despicable life. 'Stupid woman.'

End Chapter IV

Trifling with Love